Book by Jacqueline Woodson
Music and Lyrics by Tyrone L. Robinson
Cast size: 5W, 1M, some doubling
Runtime: 60 minutes
Based on the John Newbery Medal Honor Book (2006) by Jacqueline Woodson with illustrations by Hudson Talbott
Adapted from Jacqueline Woodson’s celebrated YA book, this sung-through folk opera featuring original gospel, blues, spirituals, and work songs tells the story of seven generations of Black Women in Jacqueline Woodson’s family line. Soonie’s great-grandma was just seven years old when she was sold to a big plantation without her ma and pa, with only some fabric and needles to call her own. She began to stitch a Show Way, a quilt with secret meanings to show enslaved people the way to freedom. As each generation passes, the Show Way shines a light on the past and paves a road to the future, stitching together possibility and promise.
Perusal Sample available here.
Music Samples available here.